Sam James cowl - what kind of hinges?

[lostpilot28]

I thought I read something recently where someone stated that for the Sam James cowl you shouldn't use the hinges supplied with the RV kit. Can anyone tell me what I should be using? Maybe provide the MS number and length required since I'll need to order it from AC Spruce.

Thank you.

[db1yg]

Hi Sonny,

I believe (speaking from memory here) Sam James does recommend the -4 hinge vs the -3 as is supplied by Vans. I personally used the -5 hinge for the horizontal run between the upper and lower cowl. The -3,-4. and -5 all use the same size hinge pin and the eyelet sizes are identical. The difference is that the 4 and 5 have wider mounting surfaces. I used the -5 and installed the hinge pin center line below the upper/lower cowl seam. The -5 provided more than enough mounting surface to do this and as a result all you have visible between the upper and lower cowl seam is the flat plate of the hinge--painted the same color as the cowl it makes the seam almost invisible. You also avoid seeing that "sawtooth" effect of the eyelets between the seam by doing this. If you do this stagger the pin center line down--not up. Removing the bottom cowl without "snagging" the prop is easier this way--especially if you have a three blade.

Reference the bottom and top attach points at the fw--I did not use hinges--used platenuts, #8 flush ss phillips screws, and #6 ss tinnermans (drilled out for #8 screws). Looks like camlocks at 1/5th the price and available in the "aviation section" at your neighborhood Home Depot. Vertical side attach was done with hinges.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

db

[deene]

If you do decide to use wider hinge (as suggested in the James instructions), you don't have to buy two pieces...just order one (-4 or -5) and use one of the -3 hinges from Van's kit. You just make a new hybrid hinge with one side wide and the other narrow. This works perfectly on the cowl as you offset the actual hinge line (up in my case) with wider side of the hinge down and the short side up.

Its harder to explain than it does to do it...

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by deene

If you do decide to use wider hinge (as suggested in the James instructions), you don't have to buy two pieces...just order one (-4 or -5) and use one of the -3 hinges from Van's kit. You just make a new hybrid hinge with one side wide and the other narrow. This works perfectly on the cowl as you offset the actual hinge line (up in my case) with wider side of the hinge down and the short side up.

Its harder to explain than it does to do it...

Or, that old adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words" would work too. Any chance of seeing pics of these types of installs?

[Bevan]

You may want to consider the Camlock type of fastener especially as a group buy offer has just been annouced by MILSPEC. See other thread.

Bevan

[Deems Davis]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

Or, that old adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words" would work too. Any chance of seeing pics of these types of installs?

here's a link to some pics:

http://deemsrv10.com/album/Sec%2047%.../DSC04164.html

[RVbySDI]

Thanks Deem (I think). Your pictures are fantastic. A great deal of detail in them. That is what I need to get an understanding of the cowling process. Hwever, I am afraid it just shows me how much work I have yet to look forward to on my cowling.

[MNRVFlyer]

Hi,

Not to muddy the waters, but I used the stock hinges, and with some help from a very experienced builder, got the to look great. I'll upload a few pics when I get home.

[frankh]

Feel free to join the James aircraft yahoogroup that I set up exactly for this kind of stuff.

Lots of tips and tricks there and we're always looking for more.

got to www.yahoogroups and search for James aircraft.

Frank

[Bob Brown]

I saw these on a neighbor's Lancair...I have no idea what they cost (actually, DO have some idea that they might cost a lot) or how they might work...

http://www.carbinge.com/why_carbinge.htm